wxWidgets and GUI’s In our post “Where’s the Graphics? Learning from our Roots (Tcl / Tk)” we focused on Tcl/Tk as a primary GUI development language.  We also mentioned QT as a viable alternative.  QT provides a more powerful GUI development API when compared to Tcl/Tk, however, the licensing schema for QT is also more complex. To paraphrase the description from […]
GUI’s, wxPack, and wxWidgets
ActiveState Tcl 8.6.2.0
It’s hard to believe that one day after we published “Where’s the Graphics?” ActiveState released Tcl 8.6.2.0. Though the link to the download page remains the same, we updated the context of our post to reflect the latest version number. Visit the ActiveState Tcl 8.6 page for more detailed information.  ActiveState’s ActiveTcl Community Edition is a free, ready-to-install distribution for Windows, Linux, and Max […]
Where’s the Graphics? Learning from our Roots (Tcl / Tk)
One of our “side bar” challenges is developing software solutions (applications) for our clients.  Simple or complex, they all have one element in common, a Graphical User Interface or GUI. Imagine the surprise and disappointment on the faces of many beginning programmers and developers when they discover that powerful languages like Assembler, C, C++, and even Python start by teaching you how […]
On Target Tangents
Time Tangents Our world is full of distractions and we often find ourselves on a path that seems so distant from our original plan. We wonder where the time went and ask ourselves … “How Did We Get There From Here?” Are tangents disruptive impulses that take our eyes off of the goal, causing us to lose focus, and drain […]
Executable Python on Windows
We provide solutions to our clients in a variety of forms.  Customized software solutions is just one of them and knowing more than one programming language makes it possible to choose an effective and efficient platform accordingly. Python is a relatively simple yet powerful language. I was concerned that anyone wanting to use programs written in Python would also have to install Python on […]
Back to Class with C++
What does C++ have to do with lean? The language itself may not do much for lean as we know it, however, learning a new language affords us the opportunity to become students once again. When we share and teach lean principles, it’s easy to forget what it’s like to be on the receiving end of all that information. In other words, we often […]
Thinking Outside of the Box
I am always intrigued to find evidence that supports the application of lean outside the realm of manufacturing. Â This morning I was pleasantly surprised to find an article published by Bill Wake titled “Lean Manufacturing and Software” where Bill discusses software development from a lean perspective. Â Even if you aren’t a programmer or software developer, the article offers some interesting […]
Lean Is …
What is lean?  The following definition is from the Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership website, http://www.omep.org: Lean Is A systematic approach for delivering the highest quality, lowest cost products with the shortest lead-times through the relentless elimination of waste. The eights wastes that accompanied this definition include: Overproduction Waiting Transportation Non-Value-Added Processing Excess Inventory Defects Excess Motion Underutilized People It is very […]
An e-Letter from Daniel T. Jones
I received an e-mail today from Daniel T. Jones (Lean Thinking – Womack and Jones) titled “The Financial Consequences of Lean”. Â As the content of this e-mail is so relevant to our past discussions, I decided to share it in it’s entirety. Â Enjoy. Dear Redge, Why is it so hard to see the financial consequences of lean? Failure to answer […]
Achieve Sustainability Through Integration
It’s no secret that lean is much more than a set of tools and best practices designed to eliminate waste and reduce variance in our operations. Â I contend that lean is defined by a culture that embraces the principles on which lean is founded. Â An engaged lean culture is evidenced by the continuing development and integration of improved systems, methods, […]